Well the Mukluk 2 has turned up from the states, and build starts in earnest. I have most of the bits apart from the wheelset. That is my next bone of contention, whether to buy a complete set from the states (susitna) or get a McGrath one built here, a beargrease wheelset would be awesome to get my hands on but not available at this stage. The joys of building a bike

crazyjose wrote:Well the Mukluk 2 has turned up from the states, and build starts in earnest. I have most of the bits apart from the wheelset. That is my next bone of contention, whether to buy a complete set from the states (susitna) or get a McGrath one built here, a beargrease wheelset would be awesome to get my hands on but not available at this stage. The joys of building a bike

Congratulations crazyjose! You are in for a lot of fun!

I had Wayne from Dirtworks build up a wheelset for my Mukluk with the right components on Rollin Daryl 80mm rims and cannot fault them. They arrived true and tight and dead easy to convert to tubeless. Having pounded them for a while now over Kimberley rock, Simpson Desert sand, Yarra trails mud and endless outback corrugations I still can't fault them. What I find hard to deal with though is that whenever I get them onto a wheel truing stand for preventative maintenance they need nothing done. Not even spoke tension. On the other hand, sets of XTR, Crossmax XL and ST wheels etc on my other bikes have needed work - with less riding time.

Like I said, can't fault them and now have no problem placing trust in the wheels for extended travels in remote locations. For 80mm rims, nice and light and efficient as well - but that probably has more to do with spoke choice and build quality.

Actually upon reflection, I can fault them. Not needing any maintenance is doing my head in.

Mugglechops wrote:Awesome George. Be sure to post plenty of pics when you get back.

IF he gets back...

There was a bit of Bradshaw art that predated aboriginal history so the area was likely occupied for several thousand years and these works will be over 2000 years old. This spot was above the regular flood levels so all (including the Bradshaw at the lower left) were in pretty good condition. I am waiting to hear back about other pictures of stunning works before posting anywhere. I really don't want to offend anyone.

Not that this has anything to do with fat bikes other than it's the best way to explore the flood plains along the King Edward River in the Kimberleys, but I had posted earlier images of indigenous art we had found during a bit of bicycle based exploration during a recent trip up to the Kimberley region of Northern Australia.

Well, as an update, there is an effort now to employ modern scientific techniques to accurately date some of the art including some that we uncovered. It is believed to be the earliest artwork on the planet - predating the currently recognised oldest art in Chauvet cave in southern France and the El Castillo cave in Cantabria, Spain.

It's kind of humbling to know that we were standing on the same spot that another person over 40,000 years ago was as well - with little in between. So cool.

Don't you think that there is a certain "cave man quality" about our fat bikes?[/quote]

True, chunky bikes would appeal to the caveman set.

I got a few prices for wheelsets, $750 for a McGrath styled set handbuilt, or 650 imported for a Susitna set. TWE can't do them and dirtworks are yet to get back to me so I am sliding towards thesusitna's a bit more robust wheel for my skillsets. The wheelset is pretty much the only thing i have left to get along with tyres, tubes and skewers.

crazyjose wrote:I got a few prices for wheelsets, $750 for a McGrath styled set handbuilt, or 650 imported for a Susitna set. TWE can't do them and dirtworks are yet to get back to me so I am sliding towards thesusitna's a bit more robust wheel for my skillsets. The wheelset is pretty much the only thing i have left to get along with tyres, tubes and skewers.

cheers

Ades

Go for the best set you can from the start or you will be wondering on every steep pinch if the lighter set would have been better. The wheels are pretty tough as it is so look to save some weight on the wheelset where you can. Im rocking 4.8" Buds on Marge lites either end on my bike at the minuet and i can tell you they are a world apart from the Trialtech/HuDus that were on it. Awesome float and fun but nowhere near as fast as the "light" set.

Go for the best set you can from the start or you will be wondering on every steep pinch if the lighter set would have been better. The wheels are pretty tough as it is so look to save some weight on the wheelset where you can. Im rocking 4.8" Buds on Marge lites either end on my bike at the minuet and i can tell you they are a world apart from the Trialtech/HuDus that were on it. Awesome float and fun but nowhere near as fast as the "light" set.[/quote]

Excellent, will go for the McGrath set from Bikeman, affordable enough to allow for a pair of tyres and tubes as well. I will have to save up for coloured rims down the track if I want to go that way down the track.

Amasing all of the parts for the build, stuffed up the size for the headset and got an oversize one, will sort that out and then can assemble the forks into the frame and go from there, slowly getting there, Xmas got in the way of my wheelset though

Excellent, will go for the McGrath set from Bikeman, affordable enough to allow for a pair of tyres and tubes as well. I will have to save up for coloured rims down the track if I want to go that way down the track.

Amasing all of the parts for the build, stuffed up the size for the headset and got an oversize one, will sort that out and then can assemble the forks into the frame and go from there, slowly getting there, Xmas got in the way of my wheelset though

In last year's Simpson Desert race, Neil who was in my age class ran that tyre and every time I looked ahead I could see that spider imprint in the dirt - steady and straight. A strong rider who I just couldn't catch.

At least no phobia gained George? The model is Terrain Destroyer base spec of late model (red line) Nexus 8 with rear roller drum brake and no front brake, ISO disc brake mount on fork.He runs through it briefly at the start of this assembly vid here, with some parent-like over exaggeration.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_Pc1u0Kbww

I love that green... was my original choice for frame colour. Goes well with black componentry.

My 9:zero:7 is a Large. I took it for a short ride the other day... an awesome ride, different to the Hoggar, bit still great fun.I've had 2 queries re: selling it... if It sells... OK. If it doesn't, I might try and build it up with as wide a tyres as possible and keep it for beach riding.